This stunning styled shoot took place at The Stratford Park Hotel & Golf Club
The team behind this styled shoot wanted to create something big, bright and bold. “We wanted the photos to be fun and colourful with a touch of elegance,” says organiser Sarah Day from One Day Film Productions. “We began planning in December, 2021, starting with key contacts: Annabel Sarah Bridal and Anthony Hall Photography. We quickly found a venue stylist, White Violet, and exchanged thoughts on how we could bring together all our ideas. I wanted to find start-up companies in the local area, like myself, who were starting their wedding business journey or needed a stronger social media presence. The teamwork shown in this group of suppliers has been astounding. We gelled well together, and I’m super proud of how it all came together to produce such amazing results.”
The models, Hannah and Russ, are a real couple. “Their big day was supposed to be in 2020, but it was postponed due to Covid,” shares Sarah. “After getting their hopes up one too many times, they decided to tie the knot in a registry office and hoped to have their party at another time. However, circumstances changed, and they never managed to have their big day. When the opportunity arose to be the models for this styled shoot, they jumped at the chance so that they could say their vows and get some photos of themselves in wedding attire. Although this is a styled shoot, there was a real love story behind it, and it’s safe to say that we all treated the day like it was a real wedding, with the utmost care and focus.”
Women want a personal engagement ring not an expensive one
New research suggests a shift in how women approach one of the most traditional luxury jewellery purchases, with 75% saying they want an engagement ring to prioritise personal meaning over size or value. A study of 1,353 UK women carried out by 77 Diamonds* found that 75% say they would prioritise a personalised engagement ring over a larger or more expensive diamond. What seems to stand out is not a complete rejection of convention, but rather a rebalancing and reassessment of value. 59% of women say their preference still leans towards traditional ready-made ring designs, and only 11% want an entirely custom-made piece But the emotional drive behind preferences and purchasing decisions does appear to be changing with 30% expressing a desire for rings that carry additional meaning through small modifications, engravings or design adjustments.
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Perfect Wedding or Perfect Post? Gen Z Couples Feeling the Pressure
Wedding planning has always come with its pressures, but for Gen Z couples in 2026, the landscape has changed. Social media has transformed what should be a joyful, shared experience into a high-stakes performance. Scrolling Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest can turn inspiration into comparison, pushing couples to measure their plans against celebrity weddings, curated feeds, and friends' picture-perfect posts. Grace Loves Lace, the Australian bridal brand known for effortless, movement-friendly dresses, has partnered with relationship therapist Amanda Lambros, who has over 25 years' experience, to explore how couples can navigate these pressures and enjoy the planning journey without burning out.
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One in seven couples choose sleep over sex on their wedding night
As the UK's spring and summer wedding season begins, new research by Mattress Online suggests the traditional idea of a passion-filled wedding night doesn't always match reality, with one in six couples (15%) saying they did not have sex after their big day. To understand why, the bed experts also asked survey respondents what their reasoning was behind this. They also provided additional insight on the idea of the "wedding night" from Relationship Expert, Jenni Trent Hughes. The findings show that exhaustion was by far the most common factor, with more than two in five (44%) of couples saying they were simply too tired after the celebrations. As weddings often involve early starts, long days, emotional highs, and late nights, rest is a more realistic priority than romance once newlyweds are in bed.
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Common wedding planning mistakes that can ruin your photos, according to a photographer
From rushed timelines to crammed shot lists, planning can have a big impact on how your wedding photos turn out. With the average UK wedding now costing £21,990, couples are investing heavily in a single day, with photography alone typically costing around £1,500, and often making up around 10% of the total budget. Behind that cost is far more than just the day itself. Photographers will often take between 5,000 and 7,000 images, narrowing these down to around 650–800 final shots,
